Not to be confused with George Formby, his son, who used the same stage name.
Formby in 1919
George Formby (born James Lawler Booth; 4 October 1875 – 8 February 1921) was an English comedian and singer in musical theatre, known as one of the greatest music hall performers of the early 20th century.[1] His comedy played upon Lancashire stereotypes, and he was popular around Britain. His nickname, "The Wigan Nightingale", was coined because of the way he would use his bronchial cough as a comedic device in his act.
Formby was born into poverty in the industrial North West England; his mother was an alcoholic and part-time prostitute, and during much of his youth he was maltreated. To earn money he would sing for pennies on street corners, before he joined a singing duo in his teens. He began to develop his own act during the 1890s and built up a following in Lancashire. He also developed a series of stage characters, including that of "John Willie", which is described by the cultural historian Jeffrey Richards as "the archetypal gormless Lancashire lad ... hen-pecked, accident-prone, but muddling through."[2] Formby also had a successful recording career and made the transition from music hall to revue in 1916.
His health had always been poor, but a stage accident in 1916 weakened Formby's lungs, and he suffered increasingly for the next few years, reducing his ability to perform. Tuberculosis and influenza—the latter contracted in the pandemic of 1918—weakened his constitution further, and he died of pulmonary tuberculosis in 1921 at the age of 45. Formby's act, and one of his costumes and canes, inspired Charlie Chaplin in the formation of his character the Tramp. Formby's son also used parts of his father's act when starting his stage career and, once established, also changed his name to George Formby; Formby Jr went on to become the top British male star in box office takings between 1937 and 1943.
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GeorgeFormby (born James Lawler Booth; 4 October 1875 – 8 February 1921) was an English comedian and singer in musical theatre, known as one of the greatest...
he was the son of GeorgeFormbySr, from whom he later took his stage name. After an early career as a stable boy and jockey, Formby took to the music...
hall entertainer GeorgeFormbySr. adopted his stage name after seeing it as a destination on a railway carriage. His son GeorgeFormby Jr. used the same...
starring GeorgeFormby. Formby appeared as John Willie, a stage character originally developed by his father, GeorgeFormby, Sr.; Beryl Formby, Formby Jnr's...
made his first music hall appearance in 1904, in a talent show run by GeorgeFormbySr. Before becoming a full-time entertainer, he worked in a steelworks...
halls. He was a contemporary of northern comedians Frank Randle and GeorgeFormby, Sr. He portrayed the human face of bureaucracy; for example, playing...
Fogerty, (1941–1990), rhythm guitarist for Creedence Clearwater Revival GeorgeFormby, Sr., music hall comedian and singer (d. 1921) Stephen Foster Hermann...
has been well known for its popular music since the days of GeorgeFormbySr and GeorgeFormby Jr. It was the birthplace of the Eight Lancashire Lads, a...
(1964–2016) Matt Forde (born 1982) Joey Forman (1929–1982) GeorgeFormby (1904–1961) GeorgeFormbySr. (1875–1921) Will Forte (born 1970) Kat Foster (born 1978)...
Street Conservation Area. Performers in the original theatre included GeorgeFormbySr., Harry Tate, Dan Leno, Florrie Forde, The Two Bobs, and Wilson, Keppel...
school GeorgeFormby (1904–1961), entertainer, lived for many years in Warrington and is buried in Warrington Cemetery, with his father GeorgeFormbySr, also...
money. The key stars at the time included Marie Lloyd, Vesta Tilley, GeorgeFormby, Sr., Harry Lauder, Gertie Gitana and Harry Champion. At the outbreak...
young Ernest – who had become known as Jimmy after fellow entertainer GeorgeFormbySr introduced him as 'Lucky Jim', and who had held various other jobs...
Sun" and "Something". Harrison's earliest musical influences included GeorgeFormby and Django Reinhardt; subsequent influences were Carl Perkins, Chet...
Elliott (1882–1962) Kate Everleigh (1864–1926) James Fawn (1850–1923) GeorgeFormbySr (1875–1921) Tom Foy (1879–1917) Harry Fragson (1869–1913) Will Fyffe...
on His Way To Wembley)" by Dermot Morgan "John Willie, Come On" by GeorgeFormby, Sr. ("We went in Madame Tussauds waxwork show and it were grand") "Johnnie...
Allen, actor, composer, comedian, author (died 2000) February 8 – GeorgeFormbySr, 45, British music hall entertainer who appeared in one film (pulmonary...
1850) Antonio Jacobsen, American maritime artist (b. 1850) February 8 GeorgeFormbySr, English entertainer (tuberculosis; b. 1876) Peter Kropotkin, Russian...
solo singers, and many music hall performers of the time, including GeorgeFormbySr., Ella Retford, Billy Williams, and Vesta Tilley. Early releases were...
and politician, 10th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec (b. 1838) 1921 – GeorgeFormbySr, English actor and singer (b. 1876) 1921 – Peter Kropotkin, Russian...
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